Elyria mom gets jail for pepper-spraying principal
ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW) — Jessica Houze sat silently, listening to her victims describe the pain caused by her outburst that made news headlines 11 months earlier.
“This event took place during the school day, on school grounds, against school personnel, with many little kids around,” explained one of Houze’s victims.
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The morning of April 18, Houze entered Elyria’s Hamilton Elementary School enraged by the school’s handling of an alleged bullying incident involving her son, who has special needs.
Witnesses said she hurled obscenities at an assistant principal in front of students.
When Hamilton’s principal tried closing the school’s front door on Houze, she sprayed him with pepper spray.
“The teachers were scared that day. The building went into a lockdown and teachers were scared that she would return or send someone else to terrorize the school,” added one of Houze’s victims.
Her fate in the hands of the justice system, Houze got a chance to speak about her actions that day.
“I want to apologize for my actions on that terrible day. This is not who I am as a loving and caring mother,” she said.
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Then, she listened as Lorain County Judge Chris Cook handed down her punishment.
Overall, Houze received a 24-month community control sanction. The first 6 months will be spent in the Lorain County jail.
“I have an obligation to send a message that I am not going to tolerate physical assaults on personnel at the time they are at the school,” explained Judge Cook.
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